Images(3)

"Old English" Handle Porringer

Dateca.1750-1800

Possibly by Frederick Bassett

Possibly by Francis Bassett II

OriginAmerica, New York, New York City or Connecticut, Hartford

MediumPewter

DimensionsOverall: 7 1/8", Diameter: 5 1/8"; Height: 1 3/4"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number2006-3

DescriptionPewter porringer with an "Old English" handle lightened by nine apertures including an upside-down heart, supported from below by a triangular bracket. Its bellied bowl has a slightly everted rim with incised lines on the exterior, and a raised boss surrounded by a recess at the bottom. The handle was cast directly onto the vessel leaving a clear linen mark inside the bowl.
Label TextThe Basset family dominated the New York City pewter trade from the opening years of the 18th century through to its end. Pieces bearing any one of a number of Bassett family marks are treasured by collectors and museums today. Other than the easily attributed "IB" marked wares made by John Bassett, a problem arises with the three others, all of whom share the initials "FB." First came Francis Bassett I (1690-1758), followed by the two sons of his brother John; Francis II (b.1729) and Frederick (b.1740), both of whom died in 1800. Determining who used what mark and when is challenging to say the least, and pewter scholars don't always agree on the attributions. Sometimes the style of an "FB" marked piece can suggest a date earlier or later in the 18th century, but this method is imprecise and less than satisfying.

At slightly more than 5 inches across the lip, this is the larger of two sizes of porringers made by the Bassetts. The handles, or "ears" of this type are identifiable by the nearly touching two loops on the right-hand side. Examples bearing John Bassett's touch mark predate 1761, the year he died, but those bearing one of the four known circular "FB" marks are vexing. These are usually attributed to Frederick or Francis II and assigned a date of circa 1761-1800, but some may have been made earlier by their uncle, Francis I.

Further intrigue is added to the situation since this handle mold was also used by Thomas D. Boardman, working in Hartford, CT after 1804. Boardman's porringers carry his mark on the top of the handle (Jacobs-38) and don't have the incised lines on the outside of the lip like those of the Bassetts. Scholars have speculated that the mold was left in Connecticut by Frederick Bassett, who rode out the Revolutionary War in Hartford, and returned to New York City in 1785 or early 1786. While this may be true, there's no evidence another pewterer was using the mold in the eighteen or nineteen years between Bassett's departure and Boardman's first use of it. Since the last Bassett pewterer died in 1800, it is equally possible Boardman acquired this particular porringer handle mold from an estate dispersal.

Colonial Williamsburg's Bassett porringer, made by one of the two Francises or by Frederick, survives in superb condition and is a stellar example of a classic New York City pewter vessel.
MarkingsStruck on the center back of the handle with "FB" with a fleur-de-lis above and below, all in relief within a beaded circular border (Jacobs-26, Laughlin-465).
ProvenanceThis porringer had been in a private collection in central eastern Connecticut for over twenty years. According to the collector, he purchased the piece out of a private house in Connecticut (JDD 1/06).